How to Easily Propagate Your Hanging Succulents: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hanging succulents are among the most visually striking (and convenient to decorate with) of all the succulents. I absolutely adore the “string of…” varities.

However, these little guys are EXPENSIVE! I spent $20 for a tiny variagated string of hearts. Needless to say, when I want more hanging succulents, I propagate them myself.

After all, it is so easy to propagate your hanging succulents. In fact, I find these the easiest succulents to propagate. If you’ve ever tried propagating some of the delicate species I discuss in this article, you might be thinking I’m lying right now.

It’s true. Using a tecnique that really only works for hanging succulents, layering, I’ve achieved close to 100% success with propagating hanging succulents.

Here’s what you need to know about how to choose the best hanging succulents for your collection and propagate them until you don’t know what to do with them all! Ok, let’s be honest, you can always find something to do with them!

To be sure that all of your succulents, hanging and otherwise, do well, make sure to read our article on the basics of indoor succulent gardening.

Here are plenty of ideas for an indoor succulent garden to keep you busy.

Why Propagate Hanging Succulents?

1. Cost-effective: Buying new plants can be expensive, especially if you are looking for rare or unique varieties. Propagating your hanging succulents is a cost-effective way to expand your collection without breaking the bank. When you start trading with other succulent enthusiasts, you’ll really see the cost-savings add up.

2. Healthier plants: Propagating your hanging succulents allows you to start with a fresh, healthy plant. This is especially important if your original plant is struggling or has been damaged in some way. If your succulent has lost its roots, propagating is the only option. By starting a new plant from a healthy leaf or stem, you can ensure that it will thrive.

3. Creative expression: Propagating your hanging succulents allows you to experiment with different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can create unique arrangements and displays that reflect your personal style and taste.

20 Best Hanging Succulents

1. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): This cascading succulent features round, bead-like leaves resembling pearls on trailing stems, making it a stunning choice for hanging baskets.
2. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum): With its long, trailing stems adorned with plump, succulent leaves, the Burro’s Tail adds a touch of elegance to any hanging basket.
3. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans): Similar to the String of Pearls, this succulent has banana-shaped leaves that dangle beautifully from the basket, creating a visually appealing display.
4. String of Buttons (Crassula rupestris): This succulent, commonly called Baby’s Necklace or String of Buttons, has tight rosettes of small, round leaves that stack up along trailing stems. Its compact nature makes it ideal for hanging baskets.
5. Rosary Vine (Ceropegia woodii): Also known as the String of Hearts, this succulent has delicate, heart-shaped leaves that grow on long, trailing stems. It’s a charming addition to hanging baskets.
6. Mistletoe Cacti (Rhipsalis): Mistletoe Cacti have long, trailing stems with thin, cylindrical leaves. They offer a unique, hanging appearance and come in various forms, such as Rhipsalis baccifera and Rhipsalis cereuscula.
7. Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger): This succulent, also called the Zigzag Cactus, features flat, wavy stems resembling fishbones. It looks stunning when allowed to hang down from a basket, showcasing its architectural beauty.
8. String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus): This succulent, aptly named for its leaf shape resembling leaping dolphins, has cascading stems that work wonderfully in hanging baskets. It adds a touch of whimsy and charm to any space.
9. String of Rubies (Othonna capensis): This succulent features thin, trailing stems covered in cylindrical leaves that resemble tiny, vibrant red or purple beads. It’s a fantastic choice for adding a pop of color to your hanging baskets.
10. Fishhooks (Senecio radicans): Fishhooks, also known as String of Fishhooks or Fishhook Senecio, is a trailing succulent with slender, curved leaves resembling fishhooks. It cascades beautifully from hanging baskets, adding a unique touch to any space.
11. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans): String of Bananas is a trailing succulent with elongated, banana-shaped leaves. Its cascading growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hanging planters, where its lush foliage can create an eye-catching display.
12. String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia): String of Nickels is a trailing succulent with round, coin-shaped leaves. Its attractive foliage and trailing nature make it a charming addition to hanging arrangements or macrame hangers.
13. Rhipsalis species: Rhipsalis comprises a diverse group of trailing or pendulous succulents, often called Mistletoe Cacti. With their slender stems and unique textures, they make stunning hanging plants that thrive in bright, indirect light.
14. String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata): String of Turtles is a trailing succulent with small, succulent leaves that resemble tiny turtle shells. Its delicate trailing vines make it an adorable addition to hanging baskets or terrariums.
15. Trailing Jade (Senecio jacobsenii): Trailing Jade, also known as Weeping Jade or Blue Finger, features slender, blue-green leaves on cascading stems. Its trailing habit and striking foliage make it an excellent choice for hanging planters or vertical gardens.
16. String of Raindrops (Senecio herreianus ‘String of Raindrops’): String of Raindrops is a trailing succulent with bead-like leaves that resemble droplets of water. It creates an intriguing cascading effect, making it a captivating hanging plant for indoor or outdoor spaces.
17. Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa): Wax Plant is a vining succulent with thick, waxy leaves and clusters of star-shaped flowers. Its cascading growth habit and beautiful blooms make it a popular choice for hanging baskets or elevated planters.
18. Cocoon Plant (Senecio haworthii): Cocoon Plant is a trailing succulent with elongated, fuzzy leaves that form tight clusters along the stems. Its unique texture and trailing nature make it an interesting addition to hanging displays.
19. October Daphne (Sedum sieboldii): This stonecrop is a low-growing succulent with trailing stems and round, fleshy, blue-green leaves arranged in a rosette pattern. During late summer and early fall, it produces clusters of star-shaped pink flowers that add an extra touch of beauty to its trailing form.
20. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) This fascinating vining succulent brings vibrant blooms and festive cheer during the holiday season. Despite its name, it is not a true cactus but belongs to the family Cactaceae.

How to Propagate Hanging Succulents by Layering

Hanging succulents can be propagated like any other kind of succulent, but there’s also an additional way to propagate them that isn’t typically possible for other kinds of succulents: Layering. Layering sounds technical, but it’s not.

Layering is when a new plant is propagated from a branch still on the parent plant. I’ve found it to be an almost fool-proof way to propagate succulents that are otherwise challenging to propagate with stem or leaf cuttings. I’ve not found a hanging succulent this technique doesn’t work for.

Here’s how I do it.

1. Identify a suitable stem: Look for a healthy, long, and flexible stem on the parent plant. Choose a section that is accessible and has nodes or areas where roots can form.
2. Prepare the stem: Make a small incision or wound on the chosen section of the stem. You can use a clean knife or scissors to gently scrape or nick the outer layer of the stem, exposing the inner tissue. This will encourage root formation.
3. Encourage rooting: Dust the wounded area with a rooting hormone powder. While this step is optional, it can enhance the rooting process and increase success rates.
4. Position the stem for layering: Position the wounded section of the stem in contact with the soil.
5. Secure the stem: Use small stakes or pins to hold the stem in place, ensuring it remains in contact with the soil. You can gently press the wound against the soil surface and secure it with the stakes or pins.
6. Provide appropriate care: Don’t water the new pot for a week or so, until the wounds have calloused over and roots are starting to form. Then, saturate and let dry in the same way you do with the parent plant.
7. Monitor and wait for root development: Over time, roots will begin to form from the wounded section of the stem. Keep an eye on the progress by checking for root growth or resistance when gently tugging on the stem. This process can take several weeks to a few months.
8. Sever the rooted stem: Once you observe sufficient root development, you can carefully sever the rooted section from the parent plant. Use clean scissors or a knife to make a clean cut below the newly formed roots.

Other Ways to Propagate Hanging Succulents

1. Leaf Propagation:
   • Gently remove a healthy leaf from the parent plant by carefully twisting or cutting it off near the stem.
   • Allow the leaf to dry and callus over for a few days to a week. This step helps prevent rotting.
   • Prepare a small container with well-draining succulent or cactus soil mix.
   • Place the calloused end of the leaf onto the soil surface, ensuring good contact.
   • Water thoroughly whenever the container dries out completely.
   • Place the container in a bright, indirect light location and maintain a warm temperature.
   • After a few weeks, new roots will begin to form from the base of the leaf, followed by the growth of a new plantlet.
2. Stem Cutting Propagation:
   • Select a healthy, non-flowering stem from the parent plant and use clean, sharp scissors or a knife to make a clean cut just below a leaf node.
   • Allow the cutting to dry and callus over for a few days to a week.
   • Prepare a small container with well-draining soil.
   • Insert the calloused end of the stem cutting into the soil, ensuring it is stable.
   • Water thoroughly whenever the soil dries out completely.
   • Place the container in a bright location with indirect light and maintain a warm temperature.
   • Over time, the stem cutting will develop roots from the cut end and start to produce new growth.
3. Offset or Pup Propagation:
   • Some hanging succulents produce offsets or pups, which are small plants that emerge from the base of the parent plant.
   • Wait until the offset or pup has grown a few roots and has several sets of leaves.
   • Gently separate the offset or pup from the parent plant by carefully twisting or cutting it off.
   • Allow the separated offset or pup to dry for a day or two to allow the cut end to callus.
   • Prepare a small container with well-draining soil.
   • Place the offset or pup into the soil, burying the roots slightly and providing stability.
   • Water whenever the soil dries out completely.
   • Position the container in a bright location with indirect light and maintain a warm temperature.
   • As the offset or pup establishes its roots, it will start to grow and develop into a new plant.

Succulents that can be Propagated by Leaf Cuttings

1. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): This popular trailing succulent can be propagated by taking individual leaves and allowing them to callus before planting them in well-draining soil. New plants will eventually form from the base of the leaf.
2. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans): Similar to String of Pearls, String of Bananas can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Take healthy leaves, let them callus, and then plant them in well-draining soil.
3. Fishhooks (Senecio radicans glauca): This succulent has small, curved leaves resembling fishhooks. It can be propagated by leaf cuttings in the same way as String of Pearls and String of Bananas.
4. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum): Take plump leaves, let them callus, and plant them in well-draining soil. New plants will eventually grow from the base of the leaf.
5. String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus): This unique succulent has leaves that resemble leaping dolphins. It can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Take healthy leaves, let them callus, and plant them in well-draining soil.
6. String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia): String of Nickels is a vining succulent with round, coin-shaped leaves. It can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Allow the leaves to callus and then place them on well-draining soil. New plants will develop from the base of the leaf.

Hanging Succulents Best Propagated by Stem Cutting

1. String of Hearts (Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii): String of Hearts is typically propagated by stem cuttings because individual leaf cuttings often fail to develop roots and grow into new plants. Stem cuttings, on the other hand, have a higher success rate in rooting and establishing new growth.
2. Rhipsalis species: Rhipsalis succulents have a trailing or hanging growth habit and are primarily propagated through stem cuttings. While leaf cuttings may root in some cases, stem cuttings are generally more reliable and ensure better chances of successful propagation.
3. String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata): String of Turtles is best propagated through stem cuttings or division rather than leaf cuttings. Stem cuttings have a higher chance of successful rooting and establishing new plants compared to individual leaf cuttings.
4. Trailing Jade (Senecio jacobsenii): Trailing Jade is typically propagated through stem cuttings or division. While individual leaf cuttings may root in some cases, stem cuttings are more reliable and result in faster and more consistent growth.
5. String of Raindrops (Senecio herreianus ‘String of Raindrops’): Although individual leaf cuttings may occasionally root and develop into new plants, String of Raindrops is more commonly propagated through stem cuttings or division for higher success rates and faster growth.

Hanging Succulents that may Produce Offsets

While it is more common for clump-forming succulents to produce offsets, some vining succulents can also produce pups. Here are a few examples:

1. Hoya carnosa (Wax Plant): Hoya carnosa is a popular vining succulent that can produce clusters of small, leafy pups along the stems. These pups can be separated and propagated to grow new plants.
2. Senecio haworthii (Cocoon Plant): Senecio haworthii is a trailing succulent that can produce small offsets or pups at the base of the plant. These pups can be carefully separated and propagated to create new plants.
3. Sedum morganianum (Burro’s Tail): While Burro’s Tail is primarily propagated through stem cuttings, it can occasionally produce small offsets or pups along the trailing stems.
4. Crassula ovata (Jade Plant): Jade Plant is not a vining succulent but can develop a trailing growth habit with age. Sometimes, Jade Plants produce offsets or pups at the base of the plant. These can be separated and propagated to establish new plants.

Conclusion

Propagating hanging succulents opens up a world of possibilities for plant lovers seeking to expand their collections. While layering stands out as the easiest and most reliable method, allowing new roots to form while the plant remains attached, it’s important to note that there are other fantastic techniques to explore.

Stem cuttings, offsets or pups, and even leaf cuttings offer alternative ways to propagate these trailing beauties. By experimenting with these methods and following proper care instructions, you can multiply your hanging succulent collection, share the joy of these captivating plants with others, and create stunning displays that elevate the beauty of your home or garden. Happy propagating!

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